UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has criticised the Central African Republic's (CAR) human rights record in a new report.

Fighting erupted in the Central African Republic (CAR) capital, Bangui, early Saturday morning when government soldiers tried to arrest former army chief General Francois Bozize for alleged involvement in the failed coup of 28 May, news agencies reported.

The Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and Japanese NGO Amis d'Afrique (Friends of Africa) signed a letter of agreement on Wednesday for a US $630,000 grant in support of reinforcing HIV/AIDS responses in communities in the CAR, the World Bank announced from Bangui.

The leading cause of death among teachers in the Central Africa Republic is HIV/AIDS according to a UNICEF study. The teacher shortage has forced numerous school closures, impacting the quality of education throughout the country.

The chief of staff of the armed forces of the Central African Republic (CAR), General Francois Bozize, has detailed a number of steps to be taken to reduce continuing violence and to ensure a return to peace in the capital, Bangui.

UN humanitarian agencies are mobilising to help tens of thousands of people displaced by the violence of the failed 28 May coup attempt against President Ange-Felix Patasse in the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui, a UN spokesman said.

As forces loyal to Central African Republic (CAR) President Ange-Felix Patasse surrounded remaining mutineers one week after a failed coup attempt in the capital Bangui, relief organisations issued urgent warnings of a looming humanitarian crisis.

With Central African Republic (CAR) government forces of President Ange-Felix Patasse back in "full control of the situation" in the capital, as confirmed by the French embassy in Bangui on Thursday, an increasing stream of residents who fled a failed coup attempt were returning to the city.

Central African Republic (CAR) dissident leader Andre Kolingba told mutinous soldiers on Thursday to lay down their arms after Libya and Congolese rebels came to the aid of President Ange-Felix Patasse. "I have agreed to stop the hostilities from this evening," Kolingba, who is Patasse's immediate predecessor, told Radio France Internationale. "I ask the mutinous soldiers to return to their respective residences."

Libyan soldiers arrived at Mpoko International Airport in the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui Wednesday morning on two Russian cargo planes, offloading equipment and light armoured vehicles to reinforce troops loyal to President Ange-Felix Patasse in their effort to quash a coup, sources in the city told IRIN on Thursday.

Residents of the Central African Republic's capital, Bangui, have been fleeing continuing fighting between the presidential guard and rebellious soldiers. The authorities had said on Monday that they had the city under control, following what was described as a coup attempt against President Ange-Felix Patasse carried out by disgruntled soldiers.